Akshaye Khanna Birthday: Today (March 28, 2026) marks the 51st birthday of one of Bollywood’s most versatile and enigmatic stars, Akshaye Khanna. While he started his career as a chocolate-boy hero, he has increasingly become the go-to actor for roles that require a chilling, calculated edge.
From ruthless emperors to clever conmen, here are the top 6 villainous roles that show Akshaye Khanna is a master of the dark side.
Akshaye Khanna: Top 6 Villainous Roles
1. Rehman Dakait – Dhurandhar (2025)
In Ranveer Singh‘s spy thriller Dhurandhar, Akshaye plays Rehman Dakait, a character fans are already calling one of the most brutal villains in Hindi cinema. His performance is defined by a “quiet menace” and an unnerving calm that outshines even the biggest action stars. His viral entry scene set to the Arabic track “Fa9la” became a massive social media trend.
2. Emperor Aurangzeb – Chhaava (2025)
Akshaye took on a historical challenge by playing the ruthless Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. His portrayal focused on chilling authority and commanding dialogue delivery, making him a formidable opponent to Vicky Kaushal’s Sambhaji Maharaj.
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3. Rajiv Singh – Race (2008)
Before his recent resurgence, Akshaye proved his villainous mettle as the calculating Rajiv Singh. In a film full of double-crosses, his character stood out as the ultimate puppet master, balancing brotherly affection with lethal, greedy ambition.
4. Karan Malhotra – Humraaz (2002)
This role first shocked audiences. Departing from his typical “good guy” image, Akshaye played a manipulative conman who uses love as a weapon for financial gain. His performance earned widespread praise for handling a complex, morally grey character.
5. Inder Singh – Section 375 (2019)
While not a traditional villain, his portrayal of the sharp-tongued defence lawyer Inder Singh blurred every moral line. He plays an antagonist to the truth, using cold logic and legal maneuvers to defend a difficult case, proving that villainy doesn’t always need a gun.
6. Wagah – Dishoom (2016)
As the menacing bookie Wagah (or Rahul Kabiraj), Akshaye brought sophisticated danger to the action-comedy. Even with limited screen time, he created a tense, high-stakes atmosphere as the mastermind behind the kidnapping of India’s top cricketer.
What’s Next For Akshaye Khanna
Fans won’t have to wait long for more. Akshaye Khanna is making his Telugu cinema debut as the legendary demon guru Shukracharya in the upcoming film Mahakali.
Part of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU) – the same world as the hit movie HanuMan, Khanna will sport a striking look with long silver hair and ascetic robes, playing a character of great wisdom and power.
Directed by Puja Aparna Kolluru, the film is being called India’s first female-centred superhero epic. It celebrates the strength of Goddess Kali and is set against a vibrant Bengali backdrop. Produced by RKD Studios, Mahakali is slated for a grand IMAX 3D release in 2026, in multiple languages, including Hindi and Telugu.
